Continuous retrievable testing apparatus



Nov. 19, 1963 w. E. HYDE 3,111,159

CONTINUOUS RETRIEVABLE TESTING APPARATUS Filed June 19, 1959 2Sheets-Sheet l Fla 2, INVENTOR Walter E. Hyde f ci- B ATTORNEY Nov. 19,1963 w. E; HYDE 3,111,169

CONTINUOUS RETRIEVABLE TESTING APPARATUS Filed June 19, 1959 2Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Walfer E. Hyde ATTORNEY United States Patent '03,111,169 CGNTTLJUSUS REVAELE TESTUQG APPTUS Walter E. Hyde, Duncan,Okla, assignorto Hallihurton Company, a corporation of Beiaware FiledJune 19, 1959, Ser. No. 821,594 8 (Ilainrs. 166-145) This inventionrelates generally to apparatus for obtaining samples of fluids producedby formations encountered during the drilling of oil or gas wells or thelike. More specifically, it relates to a sample-taking appanatus adaptedto obtain samples whenever they may be desired without removing thedrilling string from the well.

During the drilling of an oil or gas well or the like, it is commonlydesirable to obtain samples of the fluids produced by the variousformations encountered as well as obtaining a record of the formationpressure. The usual procedure involves the use of equipment capable ofobtaining the desired information installed as an integral part of thedrilling string. This procedure is generally referred to as a drill stemtest. With this arrangement of equipment, it is necessary to remove thedrilling strin gfrom the well, insert the testing apparatus therein, runthe drilling string and testing apparatus into the well and, after thesample is obtained and the pressure recorded, remove the drilling stringand testing apparatus from the well to obtain the results of the test.Due to the necessity for making two round trips with the drillingstring, this procedure is extremely time-consuming and expensive. Thisis particularly true where it is desired to test a plurality of zones orwhere the well is extremely deep.

US. Patent No. 2,497,185, issued to C. E. Reistle, in, discloses asampling apparatus. While samplers built in accordance with hisdisclosure have met with some degree of success, there are certaininherent features which allow contamination of the sample obtained.Also, upon the expansion of the packer, fluid confined in the annularspace below the packer is compressed and tends to force the packer anddrilling string up the hole possibly result ing in a faulty seat for thepacker.

It is therefore a general object of this invention to provide improvedapparatus for obtaining a sample of formation fluid withoutnecessitating the removal of the drilling string from the well.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved samplingapparatus that is adapted to obtain a substantially uncontaminatedsample of formation fluid.

A further object is to provide improved sampling apparatus that isadapted to permit pressure equalization above and below the packer.

An additional object of the invention is to provide improved samplingapparatus that is adapted to be run on a wire line and to allow samplesof formation fluid to be taken without removing the drilling string fromthe well.

This invention provides apparatus for obtaining fluid samples andpressure recording of various formations during the dralling of an oilor gas well or the like. One portion of the apparatus, constructed inaccordance with the invention, includes a tubular body, an expansiblepacker mounted on the tubular body, and a pressureresponsive sleevevalve member, movably mounted within the tubular body adapted to controlthe expansion of the packer. This portion of the apparatus is attachedto and becomes an integral part of the drilling string. Another portionof the apparatus, also constructed in accordance with the invention,comprises a sample receiving assembly and is adapted to be run on a wireline within the drilling string and includes a pressure-recordingdevice, a sample chamber, and a pressure-responsive valve member whichis adapted to control the flow of fluid into the sample chamber. The twoportions of the testing apparatus are arranged and constructed so thatupon the seating of the sample receiving assembly within the tubu larbody, pnessuue may be applied within the drilling string to open thepressure-responsive sleeve valve memb r, expand the packer, and then, byapplying additional pressure, to open the pressure-responsive valvemember allowing formation fluid to enter the sample chamber.

The foregoing and additional objects and advantages of the inventionwill become apparent from the following description when read inconjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein similar parts aredenoted by similar reference characters in all views and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is an elevation and cross-sectional view of the body of thetool attached to a string of drill pipe and showing a drilling bitattached to the bottom of the body.

FIGURE 2 is an elevation and cross-sectional view showing the fluidsample receiving assembly in the closed position installed in the toolbody of FIGURE 1 with the Various parts in position for expanding orsetting the packer to isolate the zone from which it is desired toobtain a sample.

FIGURE 3 is an elevation and cross-sectional view showing the fluidsample receiving assembly installed in the tool body of FIGURE 1 withthe various parts in position for obtaining a fluid sample.

Referring first to FIGURE 1 of the drawing, a tubular body '10 is shownattached to the bottom of a string of drill pipe 12 by a threaded joint'14. Attached to the bottom of the tubular body 10 by a threaded joint15 is a bit 16, which may be either a conventional drilling bit or acoring bit. The bit 16 has passageways 18 extending therethrough. Theentire assembly is shown in a bore hole 2% and penetrating a formation22 which is to be tested.

The tubular body 10 has an axial passageway or bore 42 extendingtherethrough. The bore 42 includes a lower section 56 of reduceddiameter providing a shoulder 57 therein and an enlarged section 19which provides shoulders 21 and 23 therein.

A suitable formation packer 24, such as the inflation or expandabletype, is positioned in an exterior recess 25 located in the tubular body1%.

A passageway 26 enters the recess 25 at an opening 28 and extendsupwardly within the side wall of the tubular body It entering the bore42 at an opening 36 just below the shoulder 21 permitting fluidcommunication from the bore 42 to the interior of the packer 24. A port41 extends through the sidewall of the tubular body it) slightly abovethe packer 2'4 permitting fluid communication between the bore 42 andthe annulus 4-4. A port 31 extends through the sidewall of the tubularbody 10 slightly below the opening permitting fluid communicationbetween the bore 42 and the annulus 44.

A pressure-responsive sleeve valve member 32 is slidably located withinthe bore '42 of the tubular body 16. The sleeve Valve 32 includes ahollow body 33, which is provided with a flange located on the upper endthereof, and a valve spring The flange 35 extends into the enlargedsection 19 of the bore 42 and carries in its outer periphery a suitableO-type seal 38. The O-type seal 33 provides a wiping action between theflange 35 and the interior wall of the enlarged section .19 assuring thefreedom of movement of the sleeve valve 3-2 within the tubular body 10.The hollow body 33 is also provided with ports 47 and 49 which, when thesleeve valve 32 is in the lower or open position, as shown in FIGURE 3,allows fluid to enter the passageway 26 and the port 41 respectivelyfrom the interior 3-]. of the sleeve valve 32.

Sealing rings 34, as, 43 and 45 are suitably arranged on the hollow body33 so that, when the sleeve valve 32 is in an upper or closed position,as shown in FIG- URE 1, fluid-tight seals are effected which preventfluid from entering the opening 26 and the port 41 from the interior 31of the sleeve valve 32, but permit fluid from the annulus 4 to flow tothe interior of the packer 24 through the port 31, opening 30,passageway 26, and the opening 28.

The valve spring 4% encircles the hollow body 3-3 and is retainedthereon between a lower surface 39 of the flange 3'5 and the shoulder 21in the bore 42. The valve spring 40 is of the compression type and, inits normal position, holds the sleeve valve 32 in an upper or closedposition as shown in FIGURE 1.

Referring to FIGURES 2 and 3 of the drawing, a sample receiving assembly46 is shown disposed inside the tubular body 10. The sample receivingassembly 46 is adapted at 48 for lowering and retrieving by aconventional wire line (not shown).

The sample receiving assembly 46 includes a sample chamber locatedwithin the upper portion thereof, a pressure-responsive valve assembly58 located below the sample chamber 5% and interconnected therewith by apassageway 52, and a chamber 76 located in the lower portion of thesample receiving assembly 46. The sample receiving assembly 46 is alsoprovided with sealing members 72 and 74 which are illustrated in FIGURES2 and 3 as being upwardly facing cup-type packers. The sealing members72 and 74 are positioned in recesses 79 and 8t located in the exteriorof the sample receiving assembly 46.

The pressure-responsive valve assembly 58 includes a valve housing 59formed within the sample receiving assembly 46, a hollow chamber closingvalve member 69 slidably mounted within the valve housing 59, and aspring 66, also mounted within the valve housing 59, which tends to holdthe hollow chamber closing valve member 6% in its upward or closedposition as shown in 'FIGURE 2.

The hollow chamber closing :valve member 69, as illustrated, is atubular member provided with an exterior flange 62 near the longitudinalcenter thereof and provided with ports 61 extending through the sidewall of its upper end portion. The exterior flange 62 carrics an O-typeseal 64 which is adapted to form a slidable yet fluid-tight seal withthe interior of the valve housing 59.

The valve housing 59 is divided into an upper valve chamber 63 and alower valve chamber 6 5 by an inwardly projecting flange 67. An O-typeseal 68 is located in a recess in the inner periphery of the flange 67.

The hollow chamber closing valve member 60 is positioned in the valvehousing 59 in such a manner that the exterior flange 6 2 is located inthe lower valve chamber 65. When so positioned, the upper end portionthereof extends into a section 69 of the upper valve chamber 63 that isof a reduced diameter. The section 69 of reduced diameter is providedwith an O-type seal 70 which forms a slidable seal with the hollowchamber closing valve member 6% The lower valve chamber 65 also has asection 73 of reduced diameter forming a shoulder 75 therein. The lowerend portion of the hollow chamber closing valve member 69 extends intothe section 73. The lower valve chamber 65 also has ports 71 whichextend through the side wall thereof, allowing fluid from the bore 42 toenter the lower valve chamber 65 above the exterior flange 62 of thehollow chamber closing valve member 6%, but below the inwardlyprojecting flange 67.

The spring 66 encircles the hollow chamber closing valve member 613 inthe lower valve chamber 65 and is retained in this position by the lowersurface of the exterior flange 62 and the shoulder 75. The lower valvechamber 65 is connected to a passageway 54 which extends downwardlythrough the sample receiving assembly 46 and has its lower end open tothe section 56 of 41 the bore 42 below the cup-type packer 74, but abovethe chamber 7 6.

A passageway 73 extends downwardly from the she der 75 opening at 82into the interior 31 of the hollow body 33. The passageway 78 permitsfluid communication between the lower valve chamber 65 and the interior31 of the sleeve valve 32.

The chamber 7'6 has a port 77 extending through the sidewall thereofallowing fluid from the bore 42 to enter therein. The chamber 76 isadapted to receive a coilventional pressure recording device 76'; V

An illustration of the operation and coaotion of the elements of theinvention is as follow's': v

During drilling operations, the tool 1% is connected to the lowestsection of the drill pipe 12 and a bit 16 is attached at the bottom. Thepressin'e-responsive sleeve valve 3 is in the closed position, as shownin FIGURE 1 of the drawing. Drilling fluid is circulated in theconventional manner down through the bore 42, out through the passageway18 in the bit 16, and back to the surface through the annulus Since theopening 30 is isolated by the sealing rings 34 and 36 on the sleevevalve 32, no drilling fluid can reach the interior of the packer 24 fromthe bore &2. To prevent the unintentional expansion or the packer 2-4,the port 81 is located so that fluid from the annulus 44 may communi-Cate with the interior of the packer 24 through the opening 39, thepassageway 26, and the opening 23. Thus hydrostatic pressure, due to theheight of the column of drilling fluid, is exerted both on the interiorand exterior of the packer 24.

When it is desired to obtain a sample of the fluid contents of aformation 22, the sample-receiving assembly 46 is either pumped down orlowered on a wire line and seated in the bit '16, as shown in FIGURES 2and 3 of the drawing. The spring 66 maintains the valve 58 in the closedposition as shown in FIGURE 2 and is of such strength that it will holdthe valve 5?: closed until a pressure in excess of that required toinflate the packer 2 is applied.

With the sample receiving assembly 46 seated in the bit 16, pumppressure at the surface is applied to the drilling fluid in the drillpipe 12. The drilling fluid is restrained from downward passage aroundthe sample receiving assembly 46 by the lips of the upward facing cuppacker 72. The pressure on the fluid surrounding the sample receivingassembly 46 is transmitted to the sleeve valve 32. When sufflcientpressure is applied to overcome the resistance of the spring 49 and theupward force on the sleeve valve 32 due to hydrostatic pressure of thewell fluids, the sleeve valve 32 moves downwardly until the sealing ring34 moves below the opening 3d placing the ports 30 and 47 in fluidcommunication and sealing the port 81 between the seals 34 and 36.Consequently, the drilling fluid is forced through the port 47 and theopening 30 into the passageway 26 and into the packer 2- through theopening 28. Sufficient drilling fluid is pumped to inflate the packer24, so that it firmly engages the wall of the bore hole 26 forming afluidtight seal therewith. As the packer 24- inflates, a volumereduction takes place beneath it with a resulting pressure build-up onthe trapped drilling fluid. The pressure build-up forces the trappeddrilling fluid through the passages 18 of the bit 16, into the section56 of the bore 42 around the sample receiving assembly 46, past the lipof the packer 74 and out into the annulus 44 by means of the ports 49and all, which have been aligned by the movement of the sleeve valve 32,so that fluid may communicate through them. Thus, the pressure below andabove the packer 24 will be equalized.

After the packer 24 has been inflated, and will accept no additionalfluid, continued pumping of drilling fluid forces a portion of the fluidfrom the bore 42 through the port 71 into the lower valve chamber 65above the exterior flange 62. When suflicient pressure has built up toovercome the force exerted by the spring 66, the hollow chamber closingvalve member 60 is moved downwardly from a closed position, asillustrated in FIGURE 2, to an open position, as illustrated in FIGURE3. In this position the ports 61 in the hollow chamber closing valvemember 66 are open to the upper valve chamber 63. Fluid from theformation 22, which may have already filled the passageways 18 and 54,can pass through the valve assembly 53 into the passageways 52 andthence into the sample chamber 50 which is at atmospheric pressure.

Although the fluid, which is initially in the bore 42 and thepassageways 13 and 54, is a mixture of the various fluids produced withthose used in drilling operations, further contamination of the fluidproduced from the formation 22 during the test is prevented by thepackor 24 and the cup-type packers 7 2 and 74-.

After the sample chamber 59 has filled with fluid, the pressure beingexerted by the pumps at the surface is released. When the pressure onthe exterior flange 62 has decreased sufliciently, the hollow chamberclosing valve member 66 will be moved upwardly by the spring 66. It willbe noted that the sleeve valve 32 is still in the open position andfluid in the annulus 44, which is at hydrostatic pressure, may passthrough the ports 41 and 4-9 entering the lower valve chamber 65 throughthe passageway 78 and exerting hydrostatic pressure on the lower side ofthe exterior flange 62 assisting the spring 66 to move the hollowchamber closing valve member 69 rapidly into the closed position. Thisis very important in that it decreases the possibility of contaminationoccurring. The port 61 in the upper end portion of the hollow chamberclosing valve member 60 moves past and is sealed by the O-type seal 76.The -type seal 68 provides a fluid-tight seal with the hollow chamberclosing valve member 69 thereby preventing fluid flow from the uppervalve chamber 63 to the lower valve chamber 65. The valve assembly 53 isthen in the closed position, as shown in FIGURE 2, and the formationfluid is trapped in the sample chamber 56, the passageway 52, and theupper valve chamber 63.

Further decreases in pressure permits the sleeve valve 32 to return toits closed position due to the force exerted by the spring 40. As apractical mattter, both the sleeve valve 32 and the valve assembly 53close almost instantaneously when the pressure is released. It should benoted however, that the valve assembly 58 closes before the sleeve valve32 thereby eliminating the possibility of contaminated fluids enteringthe sample chmber 56. If the sleeve valve 32 closed first allowing thepacker 24 to collapse, fluid in the annulus 44 above the packer 24 wouldflow downwardly into the portion of the bore hole 20 therebelow andpossibly enter the sample chamber 50 contminating the fluid sampletherein.

After the sample has been obta ned, the sample receivin gassembly 46 maybe retrieved by conventional means, such as a wire line, and drillingoperations continue until it is desired to take another test.

While only one embodiment of the invention has been shown and describedherein, it will be understood that various changes may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the annexedclaims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for obtaining fluid samples from a formation penetratedduring the drilling of an oil or gas well or the like without removingthe drilling string therefrom comprising a tubular body adapted to beconnected in said drilling string near the lower end thereof, anexpandable packing member encircling a portion of said tubular body,said packing member being deformable to form a fluid tight seal with thewall of said well, said tubular body having a passageway extending fromthe interior thereof in communication with the interior of said packingmember, a sleeve valve member movably mounted in said tubular body forcontrolling flow through said passageway, a sample receiving assemblyhaving a sample receiving chamber therein and a passageway extendinggenerally downwardly from said chamber, said downwardly extendingpassageway having its lower end in communication with the well belowsaid packing member, said sample receiving assembly being removablyinserted in said tubular body and sleeve valve member and having sealmeans cooperable with said sleeve valve member to permit pressure to bebuilt up in the drilling string thereabove, a chamber closing valvemember movably mounted in said downwardly extending passageway forcontrolling fluid flow therethrough, said chamber closing valve memberhaving a portion thereof exposed to the pressure of fluid in thedrilling string, said sleeve valve member and chamber closing valvemember being movable to permit flow of pressure liquid from the interiorof said drilling string into said packing member and subsequently topermit fluid flow of formation fluid into said sample chamber upon theapplication of predetermined pressures in said drilling string, andmeans, including a port in said sleeve valve member and a port extendingthrough the wall of said tubular body above said packing member, topermit equalization of pressure in the well above and below said packingmember during the expansion thereof.

2. Apparatus for obtaining fluid samples from a formation penetratedduring the drilling of an oil or gas well or the like without removingthe drilling string therefrom comprising a tubular body adapted to beconnected in said drilling string near the lower end thereof, anexpandable packing member encircling a portion of said tubular body,said packing member being deformable to form a fluid tight seal with thewall of said well, said tubular body having a passageway extending fromthe interior thereof in communication with the interior of said packingmember and an upper port extending through the wall thereof above thepacking member in communication with said well, a sleeve valve membermounted in said tubular body for controlling flow through saidpassageway and upper port, said sleeve valve member being mounted formovement from a first position in which said port and passageway are incommunication with each other to equalize pressure inside and outsidesaid packing member, to a second position in which said port is closedand said passageway is in communication with the interior of thedrilling string thereby permitting hydraulic expansion of said packingmember by fluid in the drilling string, said tubular body also having alower port extending through the wall thereof above said packing memberand in communication with said well, means on said sleeve valve memberpreventing flow through said lower port when the sleeve valve member isin said first position and permitting flow therethrough when the sleevevalve member is in its second position thereby equalizing the pressureof fluid in the well above and below said packing member during theexpansion thereof, said sleeve valve member being movable from the firstto the second position upon the application of a predetermined pressureto the fluid in the drilling string, a sample receiving assemblyremovably inserted in said tubular body and sleeve valve member, sealingmembers encircling said assembly engageable with said sleeve valvemember to permit pressure to be built up in the drilling stringthereabove, said assembly having a sample chamber therein and apassageway extending downwardly from said chamber therein, saiddownwardly extending passageway having its lower end in communicationwith the wvel l below said packing member, a chamber closing valvemember movably mounted in said downwardly extending passageway forcontrolling flow therethrough, said chamber closing valve member havinga portion thereof exposed to the fluid in the drilling string, and saidchamber closing valve member being movable upon the application of apredetermined pressure to said fluid in excess of that required to movesaid sleeve valve member.

3. The invention of claim 2 including means forming 7 a second chamberin said assembly, a port extending through the wall of said asesmblypermitting fluid communication between said second chamber and the wellbelow said packing member, and a pressure recording device mounted insaid second chamber for recording the pressure of fluid in the wellbelow said packing member.

4. Apparatus for obtaining fluid samples from a formation penetratedduring the drilling of a well without removing the drilling string fromthe well, comprising in combination: a tubular body adapted forconnection to the drilling string near the lower end thereof, a samplereceiving assembly insertable into said tubular body through saiddrilling string, a deformable packer encircling a portion of saidtubular body and expandable into contact with the wall of the well,hydraulic means including a passageway in said tubular body forconveying liquid under pressure from the interior of said tubular bodyto expand said packer, said tubular body having lateral port meansextending through .the wall thereof, and valve means on the tubular bodymovable between a first position connecting said passageway to said portmeans for equalizing the pressure inside and outside said packer and asecond position connecting said passageway to the interior of thedrilling string, said valve means in said second position also acting toconnect the interior of said tubular body below said packer to said portmeans in order to equalize pressure above and below said packer duringexpansion thereof.

5. In a device for use with a drilling string in a well, thesub-combination of a tubular body adapted for connection to the drillingstring near the lower end thereof, a deformable packer encircling aportion of said tubular body and expandable into contact with the wallof the well, hydraulic means including a passageway in said tubular bodyfor conveying liquid under pressure from the interior of said tubularbody to expand said packer, said tubular body having lateral port meansextending through the wall thereof, and a valve on the tubular bodymovable between a first position connecting said passageway to said portmeans for equalizing the pressure inside and outside said packer and asecond position connecting said passageway to the interior of thedrilling string, said valve in said second position also acting toconnect the interior of said tubular body below said packer to said portmeans in order to equalize pressure above and below said packer duringexpansion thereof.

6. Apparatus for obtaining fluid samples from a formation penetratedduring the drilling of a well without removing the drilling string fromthe well, comprising in combination: a tubular body adapted forconnection to the drilling string near the lower end thereof, adeformable packer encircling a portion of said tubular body andexpandable into contact with the wall of the well, hydraulic meansincluding a passageway in said tubular body for conveying liquid underpressure from the interior of said tubular body to expand said packer,said tubular body having lateral port means extending through the wallthereof, a sleeve valve on the tubular body movable longitudinallybetween a first position connecting said passageway to said port meansfor equalizing the pressure inside and outside said packer and a secondposition connecting said passageway to the interior of the drillingstring, said sleeve valve in said second position also acting to connectthe interior of said tubular body below said packer to said port meansin order to equalize pressure above and below said packer duringexpansion thereof, a sample receiving assembly longitudinally insertableinto said tubular body and sleeve valve through the drilling string, andseal means acting to prevent leakage between said sleeve valve and said'sample receiving assembly, and means on the sleeve valve responsive toliquid pressure in said drilling string for moving the sleeve valve fromfirst to second position.

7. Apparatus for obtaining fluid samples from a formation penetratedduring the drilling of a well without removing the drilling string fromthe well, comprising in combination: a tubular body adapted forconnection to the drilling string near the lower end thereof, adeformable packer encircling a portion of said tubular body andexpandable into contact with the wall of the well, hydraulic meansincluding a passage in said tubular body for conveying liquid underpressure from the interior of said tubular body to expand said packer, asleeve valve on the tubular body movable longitudinally to connect saidpassageway to the interior of the drilling string, means on the sleevevalve responsive to liquid pressure in said drilling string for movingthe sleeve valve from first to second position, a sample receivingassembly longitudinally insertable into said tubular body and sleevevalve through the drilling string, and seal means acting to preventleakage between said sleeve valve and said sample receiving assembly,the sample receiving assembly having a member provided with a passage incommunication with the well below the packer to receive a sample of wellfluid, valve means on said assembly controlling flow through the lattersaid passage, and means on said assembly for operating said valve means.

8. Apparatus for obtaining fluid samples from a formation penetratedduring the drilling of an oil or gas well or the like without removingthe drilling string therefrom comprising a tubular body adapted to beconnected in said drilling string near the lower end thereof, anexpandable packing member encircling a portion of said tubular body,said packing member being deformable to form a fiuid tight seal with thewall of said well, hydraulic means including a passage in said tubularbody for conveying liquid under pressure from the interior of saidtubular body to expand said packing member, said hydraulic meansincluding a sleeve valve member movably mounted in the interior of saidtubular body for controlling flow of liquid through said passage, saidsleeve valve member and said tubular body having means including portsproviding a bypass passageway circumventing said packing member forequalizing the pressure above and below said packing member duringexpansion thereof, said sleeve valve member having pressure responsivemeans movable upon the application of a first predetermined pressure tothe liquid in said drilling string and tubular body to enable saidliquid to be conveyed to said packing member, a sample receivingassembly removably inserted in said tubular body and sleeve valve memberand having means cooperable with said sleeve valve member to close thebore thereof to permit pressure to be built up to said firstpredetermined pressure in the drilling string thereabove, said assemblyhaving a sample receiving chamber therein and a passageway thereinextending generally downwardly from said chamber, said assembly alsohaving a chamber closing valve member movably mounted in said downwardlyextending passageway for controlling flow therethrough, said chamberclosing valve member having a portion thereof exposed to the liquid insaid drilling string and being movable to open position upon theapplication of a predetermined pressure to said liquid in excess of thatrequired to move said sleeve valve member.

Referenees Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,497,185 Raistle Feb. 14, 1950

1. APPARATUS FOR OBTAINING FLUID SAMPLES FROM A FORMATION PENETRATEDDURING THE DRILLING OF AN OIL OR GAS WELL OR THE LIKE WITHOUT REMOVINGTHE DRILLING STRING THEREFROM COMPRISING A TUBULAR BODY ADAPTED TO BECONNECTED IN SAID DRILLING STRING NEAR THE LOWER END THEREOF, ANEXPANDABLE PACKING MEMBER ENCIRCLING A PORTION OF SAID TUBULAR BODY,SAID PACKING MEMBER BEING DEFORMABLE TO FORM A FLUID TIGHT SEAL WITH THEWALL OF SAID WELL, SAID TUBULAR BODY HAVING A PASSAGEWAY EXTENDING FROMTHE INTERIOR THEREOF IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE INTERIOR OF SAID PACKINGMEMBER, A SLEEVE VALVE MEMBER MOVABLY MOUNTED IN SAID TUBULAR BODY FORCONTROLLING FLOW THROUGH SAID PASSAGEWAY, A SAMPLE RECEIVING ASSEMBLYHAVING A SAMPLE RECEIVING CHAMBER THEREIN AND A PASSAGEWAY EXTENDINGGENERALLY DOWNWARDLY FROM SAID CHAMBER, SAID DOWNWARDLY EXTENDINGPASSAGEWAY HAVING ITS LOWER END IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE WELL BELOWSAID PACKING MEMBER, SAID SAMPLE RECEIVING ASSEMBLY BEING REMOVABLYINSERTED IN SAID TUBULAR BODY AND SLEEVE VALVE MEMBER AND HAVING SEALMEANS COOPERABLE WITH SAID SLEEVE VALVE MEMBER TO PERMIT PRESSURE TO BEBUILT UP IN THE DRILLING STRING THEREABOVE, A CHAMBER CLOSING VALVEMEMBER MOVABLY MOUNTED IN SAID DOWNWARDLY EXTENDING PASSAGEWAY FORCONTROLLING FLUID FLOW THERETHROUGH, SAID CHAMBER CLOSING VALVE MEMBERHAVING A PORTION THEREOF EXPOSED TO THE PRESSURE OF FLUID IN THEDRILLING STRING, SAID SLEEVE VALVE MEMBER AND CHAMBER CLOSING VALVEMEMBER BEING MOVABLE TO PERMIT FLOW OF PRESSURE LIQUID FROM THE INTERIOROF SAID DRILLING STRING INTO SAID PACKING MEMBER AND SUBSEQUENTLY TOPERMIT FLUID FLOW OF FORMATION FLUID INTO SAID SAMPLE CHAMBER UPON THEAPPLICATION OF PREDETERMINED PRESSURES IN SAID DRILLING STRING, ANDMEANS, INCLUDING A PORT IN SAID SLEEVE VALVE MEMBER AND A PORT EXTENDINGTHROUGH THE WALL OF SAID TUBULAR BODY ABOVE SAID PACKING MEMBER, TOPERMIT EQUALIZATION OF PRESSURE IN THE WELL ABOVE AND BELOW SAID PACKINGMEMBER DURING THE EXPANSION THEREOF.